levels of maturing for type 8

magnanimous heart
1: liberation
  • compassionate, empowering, and gentle
  • in sync with Universal Will and no longer forceful
  • surrendering and letting reality unfold
  • let go of forced power and self-image
  • let go of belief that they must be in control.
self-confident person
2: psychological capacity
  • strong, self-reliant, master of own fate, independent
  • “i am a strong, assertive person”
  • emphasize their strength, assertion, resourcefulness, and independence
  • reject their vulnerability (emotional needs)
  • basic fear: being harmed or controlled by others
  • basic desire: protecting themselves and determining their own course in life.
constructive leader
3: social value
  • relate to others primarily through leading, decisiveness, and creating opportunity or providing
  • see themselves as a good person when they are strong and in control
  • desire: to prove their power and strength through action or achievement
  • strategy: reinforce self-image through leadership and extending control.
wake-up call feeling like i must push and struggle to make things happen
enterprising adventurer
4: imbalance (social role)
  • tend to see themselves as completely self-sufficient
  • risk-taking, pragmatic, competitive
  • desire to acquire the resources they need to maintain power
  • social role of the rock/leader
  • protector who takes charge.
dominating power broker
5: interpersonal control
  • manipulate others by domination and insistence on compliance
  • lust (shadow) arises when they want to possess, control, and increase intensity of experience
  • insist on being seen as strong, assertive, and powerful
  • desire to feel important to self and others.
confrontational adversary
6: overcompensation
  • threaten and intimidate
  • defiant, pushy, bullying and belligerent (test of will and power)
  • desire to have others obey
  • undermine security and safety of others through threats of harm.
red flag fear others are turning against me and will retaliate
ruthless outlaw
7: violation
  • feel rejected and betrayed by the world
  • brutal, violent, and treacherous (as only ways of surviving)
  • trust nothing but themselves
  • desire to survive and protect self at all costs
  • violate self-image of being the rock through ruthless treatment of others.

adapted from Riso & Hudson: Wisdom of the Enneagram